Hospitality Houses chief honored by Red Cross

The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

Comment

By Special to The Oak Ridger

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Special to The Oak Ridger

Posted May. 2, 2013 at 8:31 PM
Updated May 2, 2013 at 8:34 PM

By Special to The Oak Ridger

Posted May. 2, 2013 at 8:31 PM
Updated May 2, 2013 at 8:34 PM

The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years. This year, the Anderson County Red Cross recognized Debbie Scarbrough, coordinator of the Hospitality Houses at Methodist Medical Center during the annual Humanitarian Awards Luncheon. Scarbrough was recognized for her work as a Red Cross Volunteer — Disaster and First Responder category.

“This is a great opportunity to remember those who help all of us here in Anderson County by giving their time to help their neighbor,” said Scot MacIlveen, chairman of the American Red Cross Leadership Cabinet of Anderson County.

Scarbrough began her volunteer activities with the Red Cross as a school clinic volunteer when her children were young, and throughout the years has expanded her knowledge, training, and experience. Scarbrough has served in various capacities as an authorized driver of the Emergency Response Vehicle and as a member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT). She has been deployed to natural disasters such as tornados, tropical storms and floods, and she has assisted the victims of a mass shooting.

Scarbrough said she feels the skills she has learned as a Red Cross volunteer are with her every day as she serves as the coordinator of Methodist Medical Center's Hospitality Houses — which provide free, temporary lodging for cancer patients and their family members.

As Scarbrough’s nomination notes, “The Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers. … and Deborah Scarbrough is a living example of this statement.”